Rail commuters using one of London's busiest lines were forced to exit the train earlier today and walk along the tracks.

Overhead wire problems on the East Coast Main Line caused hours of delay for thousands of passengers coming in and out of King's Cross, just 12 hours after the same thing happened last night. Russell Hookey reports.

Soon after 2.30pm yesterday damage was found to overhead power cables on three lines around Hitchin. This damage was confined to the wire itself and not the structures, but was significant enough that we had to stop traffic through the area.

By 6.30pm we had two lines through Hitchin open allowing limited services to run. The route to Cambridge remained blocked, although passengers from London were and are able to reach the town via Liverpool Street.

From 1am to 5.30am we had just one line open through the affected area, with diversions via Hertford, while the damaged wire was replaced.

We handed the line back at 6.3am and when the first train went through at 6.54am, further damage was found.

The nature of the damage means we have had to close all lines through Hitchin and we are continuing to repair the problem and investigate the cause.

Network Rail would like to apologise for the disruption to people's journeys during this period and we are working hard to fix the problem.

Please do check with your train operator before travelling as there are diversions in place.

Disruption on First Capital Connect between Cambridge and King's Cross, between Peterborough and King's Cross and between Letchworth Garden City and Moorgatedue to overhead wire problems between Stevenage and Hitchin. Tickets being accepted on London Underground and Greater Anglia services.